Last Chapter Recap: The night is still young… and I know one better method of recharging my batteries than good sleep… hahahahaha!
NOW
Mc's Room
"Ensign, do you hear me?" Heidi's voice came through the comms, calm but urgent.
The hour is… 3:10. Fuck.
"I hear you, Commander," Adam replied, irritation creeping into his voice. "What is it now? I didn't hear any alarm."
"Report immediately to the crew deck," Heidi ordered coldly. "That's an order."
Seriously? At least give me a good reason for this cruel awakening… yaaawn!
I opt not to wake up Ivanna, who's been sleeping naked beside me, and quickly wrap myself in my uniform. I have a bad feeling about this.
Crew Deck
"Ensign Adam, reporting for duty," Adam said as he gave a crisp salute.
Just as usual, there's only commander Heidi and an officer on night watch – in this case, lt. Tits. I took a peek on the main screen, but the situation didn't change at all since yesterday.
"At ease," Heidi said, then asked, "Did you bring your work tool?"
"I never leave without it," Adam joked, a smirk on his face. "What is it, Commander? Don't tell me someone locked themselves in the lavatory again."
"Leave that lavatorial sense of humor outside the deck," Heidi said, her tone serious. "I need you to set up your tools and begin monitoring the situation around the enemy vessel. I want precise information—no guesswork."
"Did something happen?" Adam asked, his expression turning serious.
"No, but it will," Heidi said, her voice cold and steady.
Damn you and your secrecy, you, alliance bitch! At least trust me with info needed for my job, for fucks sake!
"Strange, right? The captain is still sleeping..." Laura said, her voice laced with concern. "I don't think the commander would've made any decision without her."
"You don't know what's going on either, Lieutenant?" Adam asked, a hint of frustration in his voice. "What's with all this mystery?"
"Ha ha..." Laura laughed it off. "Must be the mission."
I wish I could share Ms. Tits positive outlook, but a bad feeling continues to grow on my mind as I set up my instruments.
"Enemy position... seventy meters from us. No irregular movements detected, no communication recorded..." Adam continued monitoring. "Everything appears to be in order."
"Good," Heidi praised, then turned to Laura. "Lt. Laura, send one ping to Major Aurora."
"Just one ping, ma'am?" Laura hesitated. "But she's—"
"One ping only," Heidi said, not showing any hesitation.
Despite her obvious confusion, lt. Laura obeys the order immediately.
(A/N: Just to clarify, "ping" refers to a small, subtle alarm or notice that doesn't alert others around them.)
"Commander, she's not responding," Laura said after sending the single ping.
"That's fine," Heidi said, turning to Adam. "Ensign, disable our electrical system."
"Hold on, ma'am," Adam said, shocked. "If I do that, we'll lose either our defense or propulsion—"
"Do it," Heidi said, her voice cold.
I have no idea what this woman is planning, but pressured, I have no choice but to obey this crazy order. A few second after I forcefully order the mainframe to shut down, the backup system boots up.
"Lt. Laura, another ping," Heidi said without emotion.
"To Major Aurora?" Laura asked for confirmation. "Aye, ma'am."
"Commander, permission to open the hatch," a voice came through the comms.
Huh? That voice is… isn't that princess?!
"Permission granted, Your Highness," Heidi replied dryly.
"Commander, what is going on?!" Adam asked, clearly confused. "Why is Her Highness in the hangar?!"
"Raise the alarm! Man, the stations!" Heidi barked, ignoring Adam. "From this point on, we commence Operation 'Z'!"
As soon as commander hits the big red button, hell breaks loose on the goliath. However, my attention is focused on the side screen, where our largest drone deports towards the enemy carrier.
There's no doubt who's behind the controls of the drone. I know princess had some military training, but to think she'd be used- no, what is the plan in a first place?!
"Commander, we're losing speed!" Adam shouted, eyes locked on the controls.
"Restore the main electrical systems!" Heidi commanded. "Pilots, board your fighters immediately! Main battery—prepare to fire on my mark!"
"Leave it to me, Commander," Lt. Brody said.
Is that lt. Brody on the comms? What is he doing with the battery? Does it have to do with that ping Tits sent to major Aurora?! Arrrgh, this secrecy is killing me!
However, I can at least understand why she asked me to shut down the electrical circuit of goliath. That's a perfect excuse to send the drones out as well as a cover for any other action.
"Dammit, we're forcing the battle here!" Adam shouted. "Enemy's moving to starboard — they'll be launching their spacecraft any second!"
"That's fine—good job, everyone," Selana said as she stepped in, her voice steady. "I'll be taking command from here on."